Why ONE at Optimus works.
ONE at Optimus is a singular, streamlined source for a full spectrum of video communications. Combining production and post-production under one roof, ONE at Optimus is truly a one-stop shop.
We know how to help you take full advantage of today’s dynamic media landscape. Our efficiencies ensure speed to market. Our experience ensures that we know how to stay on track with a brand’s integrated messaging. And our expertise ensures that we’ll deliver work of the highest standard, without compromise. We’re focused on more than moving pictures. We get the bigger picture.
How ONE at Optimus works.
We work strictly on a project basis, and your project begins and ends in the hands of one team. No handoffs. No communication gaps. Everybody’s on the same page, sharing the same focus, start to finish.
john noble | executive producer, managing director
gretchen praeger | executive producer, managing director
Began his career at 16, PA-ing on classic 70s Volkswagen spots
Started in the shipping room, catapulted up the ranks by her love/studies/knowledge of film
Collected numerous awards as an agency producer at DDB NYC, McCann, BSB, Chiat/Day, BBDO, GKV, and The Martin Agency
Elegantly blends creative savvy with effortless taskmastery
Added Chicago to his address book as head of Production & Digital Core at Element 79 overseeing Gatorade, Propel, Quaker, and Celebrity Cruises
Responsible for popularity of the phrase “Ask Gretchen”
312 321 0880. This is the number that connects you to your producer, your director, your editor, your designer—everybody who’s working on your project. You don’t have to call around. Just call.
Here’s another easy number for you. 161 East Grand Avenue is our address – our ONE address – where the entirety of your project begins and ends. Right in the heart of the Streeterville neighborhood, our 44,000-square-foot home is easy to get to and close to everything.
Observe.
Serve.
From your ultra comfortable front row seat, you’ll have our brand-new, state-of-the-art stage at your command: 1400 square feet with a 16-foot ceiling. A 20’ x 28’ cyc that stretches to 12 feet tall, covering exposed brick walls. A crisp white sweep, perfect for a seamless background, that can be painted any color you wish. Ready? Set.
Whatever you (or your project) hunger for can be whipped up in our full-service kitchen. Whether it’s a complex food shoot or simply a round of espressos, our sleek stage kitchen is fully outfitted to produce all manner of edibles—and shootables—beautifully.
Client lounge? Or client cocoon?
Where there’s a buzz, there must be a hive.
Our plush respite from the action hovers at the very
The epicenter of ONE at Optimus, our bright and
top of our vintage factory building, featuring gorgeous
lively production office is equipped to run several
skyline views of the city and all the comforts of your
productions simultaneously. And smoothly.
home-away-from-home: 55� Sony Bravia display, Blu-Ray player, 5.1 surround sound.
directors editorial design visual effects tech audio finishing
Talent. Name a specialty, and we’ve got the specialist. From our in-house staff of production experts to our roster of accomplished directors to our on-hand pool of copywriters and art directors. Full service, at your service.
We’re proud to work with some of the best emerging directorial talent in the industry. Our current roster is diverse, original and supremely creative, with histories spanning the globe from China to Rome to Jerusalem to Minneapolis. Driven and accomplished, curious and interested, encouraged to explore new possibilities and to seek fresh perspectives. Brave, but not reckless. All work, all play.
directors
view reels at oneatoptimus.com
The ONE at Optimus reputation owes a lot to its roster of awardwinning editors. Eight in Chicago, five in Santa Monica. As diverse as they are, they’re all passionate about their craft, inventive and tireless and, especially important, a pleasure to hang out with. Hard work doesn’t have to feel like hard time.
randy palmer | offline editor, partner Bought a camcorder instead of a car at 16
editorial
Gave up sleeping in 1992 when he started editing Loves making 30-second movies Hates saying no
Our design group is tight-knit, cutting-edge and multidimensional. Every designer’s style is individual, but we collaborate as a singular unit, linked both digitally and creatively. Everybody’s versatile: our 3D animator is equally skilled in stop-motion, and each of our designers is more than capable of building a rough-cut and an offline edit. We can do storyboards, concept frames, and any other forms of “pre-vis.”
mike “chick” ciacciarelli | creative director New England native studied film history and screenwriting at Northwestern
design
Has worked with agencies of all kinds and directly with clients, including McDonald’s, Sears, Coca-Cola, Altoids, and Samsung, to name only a few Believes good design is the custom creative solution to a unique communication problem Has actually said above statement out loud
Flame. Smoke. Maya. Cinema 4D. (We could go on.) We have all the latest, and we have all the talent who know how to work it. We call them artists. Others call them magicians.
glen noren | effects director, partner
visual effects
Modest leading talent of hotshot graphics crew Channeled growth of motion graphics and digital compositing when they were coming into their own Has practiced visual wizardry here since 1994 Claim to near-fame: extra in “Risky Business�
You’ve done the shoot. Now you need the look. Luckily, we have one of the industry’s most talented visual artists in our house. Senior Colorist and Partner Craig Leffel has seen it all – and made it all look incredible. His vast visual vocabulary and exacting standards mean you can trust him with the life of your images. Food becomes tastier. Skies become moodier. Skin becomes flawless. You’re in good hands with Craig’s eyes.
craig leffel | senior colorist, partner BFA in Photography, BMOC here since 1996
color
Beyond nationally renowned colorist, has covered the spectrum as DP and Director on commercials and music videos A tech wiz, tests cameras for Fletcher Chicago and is intimate with the RED ONE
For VO recording and sound mixing, our ace engineers and plush studio guarantee sure-fire sessions. We have partner relationships with music houses for original tracks, and we can help you in licensing existing music. Name that tune.
joel anderson | audio engineer Ditched Cedar Falls for top film school University of Iowa
audio
Landed internship here in 2004, fast-tracked to current position Award-winning sound designer on in-house fringe film projects Onstage rocker, backstage video producer of Pitchfork Festival
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Before we even start your project, we anticipate how and where it will end up. Does it need to be configured for mobile or Web? Will there be multiple versions in multiple formats? What about copy changes and product replacements? Consider it done.
Whatever works.
When you partner with ONE at Optimus, you’ll get just that: a partner. We’ve built our reputation on giving all we’ve got and not stopping until everybody’s happy. We’ll never leave you hanging. But we will do our best to leave you with a production you’ll be proud of and an experience you’ll happily come back for.
tom duff | president, partner President since 1996 Lifelong Chicagoan did time in production at Burnett, Riney, DDB “ This place and our people mean everything in the world to me” (not counting family, White Sox)
Let’s work together. 312 321 0880 Ask for John or Gretchen and we’ll get started.